July 2008 : Molecule of the Day

Profile

Molecules: You'd better learn to live with them.

Search

Other Information

The author is not a physician. The content on this website does not, and is not intended to constitute medical advice. It should not be relied upon when making medical decisions. It is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other healthcare provider.

July 29, 2008

Nardil/Phenelzine (Hydrazine chases the blues away)

Category: Drugs

As I mentioned yesterday, derivatives of arylethylamines - phenethylamine in particular - are drug targets in depression, but a sophisticated mechanistic understanding remains elusive. When you have some idea what molecule you'd like less of, a favorite trick is to...

Read on »

Posted by Molecule of the Day at 7:51 AM • 7 Comments • 0 TrackBacks

July 28, 2008

Reserpine (Depressing antihypertension medication)

Category: Drugs

An aromatic ring, two carbons, and a nitrogen will get you a lot of places.From hallucinogens to decongestants to speed, the arylethylamine moiety works because it tickles neurotransmitter receptors. The effects of the assorted monoamine neurotransmitters are as varied as...

Read on »

Posted by Molecule of the Day at 1:14 AM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks

July 24, 2008

Choline Chloride (Vitamin or solvent?)

Choline is an ubiquitous vitamin. Interestingly, it makes a number of "deep-melting eutectics" with other dirt-common chemicals like Urea....

Read on »

Posted by Molecule of the Day at 11:58 PM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks

July 23, 2008

Dimethylaminopyridine/DMAP (Nucleophile magic)

Category: Synthesis

A lot of reactions with nucleophiles' rates are determined by how good a leaving group you have. For leaving group reasons and others, DMAP is a great organocatalyst:...

Read on »

Posted by Molecule of the Day at 12:22 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks

July 18, 2008

Sulfur Dioxide (Alternative, more toxic refrigerants)

Category: Inorganic

As was mentioned in the comments to my entry on a refrigerant Monday, what we use has changed quite a bit over the years. If you don't know how a fridge or AC works (they're the exact same thing), here's...

Read on »

Posted by Molecule of the Day at 11:09 PM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks

July 14, 2008

Iodotrifluoromethane (Safer because it's more reactive?)

Category: Inorganic

I really, really love refrigeration. I will go so far as to say that it's the most important invention of the modern era. More than internal combustion, nuclear bombs and power, or electrification, refrigeration defines the US. If you're like...

Read on »

Posted by Molecule of the Day at 11:09 PM • 11 Comments • 0 TrackBacks

July 2, 2008